Defending with the Same AI that’s Coming for You with Chris Cochran | 36

As AI begins to outpace the defenders tasked with containing it, what happens when the very tools we build to protect us become the most sophisticated threat we've ever faced? In this episode, Ciaran and James speak with Chris Cochran, Field CISO and Vice President of AI Security at SANS Institute, to discuss AI and cyber defense. Chris shares his perspective on the rise of AI-driven attacks, why community matters for security leaders under pressure, and what it will take to keep AI safe. 

Highlights:

Chris Cochran’s background and work

A selection of Chris’ work, talks and projects

• The AI Gold Rush in Cybersecurity with Chris Cochran
• Chris Cochran | SANS Institute
• Skadi: Threat Hunter

Cybersecurity community and burnout

Why community matters, especially for CISOs dealing with pressure and isolation

• Security Tinkerers
• Hacker Valley Media
• Burnout is Becoming Endemic Across the Cybersecurity Sector | 2025 ISC2 Cybersecurity Workforce Study
• 7 Things I Was Proven Wrong About AI Security at the [un]prompted Conference

AI and cyber threats

What AI mean in practice and what defenders should focus on now.

• Claude Mythos and Project Glasswing: why an AI superhacker has the tech world on alert | Project Glasswing: Securing critical software for the AI era
• Disrupting the first reported AI-orchestrated cyber espionage campaign | The Emergence of Autonomous Cyber Attacks: Analysis and Implications
• AI Security Starts Here | SANS Institute
• Threat modeling AI applications | Microsoft Security Blog | Taxonomy of Failure Mode in Agentic AI Systems
• Why You Need to Manage AI Agents Like Delta Force, Not Navy SEALs

AI governance and safety

How governments are starting to coordinate around clearer controls for AI

• AI Red Lines
• American Society for AI
• Frontier AI: capabilities and risks – discussion paper

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Contact:

• Have questions or comments? Email us at cyberleadersnetwork@sans.org